Chapter 178: Head Instructor

Chapter 178: Head Instructor

If the emergence of breathing styles allowed humans to confront demons directly, then abilities like the Demon Slayer Mark, the Bright Red Nichirin Sword, and the Transparent World further enhanced these humans, making them high-end combat power capable of facing even the strongest demons.

Whether it was the Demon Slayer Mark or the Transparent World, any of these abilities noticeably increased human strength.

Even the Bright Red Nichirin Sword, though useless against anything other than demons, had significant destructive power against them.

Therefore, among the Hashira, all but one had to awaken at least one of these abilities to have the power to confront an Upper Rank.

"So that's how it is..."

Every Hashira was deeply shocked upon learning the three abilities.

It couldn't be helped.

Because the legacy of the Demon Slayer Corps had been lost and destroyed many times throughout history, it remained incomplete. Most of the Hashira knew almost nothing about the Demon Slayer Mark, the Bright Red Nichirin Sword, or the Transparent World.

Only Kagaya, after coughing a few times, spoke up.

"Regarding the Bright Red Nichirin Sword and Transparent World, I won't discuss those two abilities. However, in the history passed down within the Ubuyashiki family, I've seen records about the Mark."

Kagaya revealed this information.

"Legend has it that during the Sengoku period, some of the first-generation Demon Slayers, who had pushed Kibutsuji Muzan to the brink several times, had veined marks on their bodies. I believe that must be the so-called Demon Slayer Mark."

Upon hearing Kagaya's explanation, Riezel smirked.

"Pushed Kibutsuji Muzan to the brink, huh?"

Riezel was skeptical about this claim, but he didn't correct it.

"That is indeed the Demon Slayer Mark. Demon Slayers who awaken the Mark have significantly more strength than ordinary Demon Slayers. Whether they could push Kibutsuji Muzan to the brink, I don't know, but they certainly had the power to push the Upper Ranks to the brink—that's unquestionable."

Upon hearing this, the Hashira couldn't stay calm.

"Young Tsugikuni, are you this strong because you've mastered the three abilities you mentioned?"

Kyoujurou asked hastily, causing the eyes of every Hashira present to burn with intensity.

If Riezel was strong because he possessed these three abilities, did that mean they could become just as strong if they also acquired them?

Thoughts like this couldn't help but arise in the minds of the Hashira.

Unfortunately, Riezel dashed their hopes.

"I did awaken the Transparent World, but that's all. I haven't awakened the Mark or the Bright Red Nichirin Sword."

His words shocked everyone.

"Just one ability made you this strong?" Mitsuri covered her mouth, looking incredulous.

"No, my strength has nothing to do with how many abilities I've unlocked." Riezel shook his head. "Although the Mark and the Bright Red Nichirin Sword are indeed impressive, to me, they're just that, decent. Especially the Mark, it comes with a terrifying price after awakening it. I know how to awaken it, but I don't plan to."

"Price?" Sanemi seemed particularly concerned about this. "What price?"

Riezel glanced at him for a second, then answered calmly.

"The Mark is an ability that boosts strength by overdrawing one's life force. In other words, using the Mark shortens your lifespan. Everyone who has awakened the Mark rarely lived past twenty-five years old."

As for the Upper Four, Hantengu, though his ability was tricky, Gyoumei wouldn't struggle too much if he knew the right strategy.

Gyoumei could even hold his own against the Upper Three, Akaza.

Unfortunately, this was probably his limit.

Going beyond that, without using any of the three abilities, it would become very difficult for him to win.

Especially the Upper One—he was on a whole other level.

Riezel suspected the Upper One had the strength equivalent to Level 5, so even if Gyoumei used all three abilities, he wouldn't be able to defeat the Upper One one-on-one.

However, excluding the Upper One, if the Hashira could awaken all three abilities, they would have some chance of victory against the other Upper Ranks in one-on-one—especially Gyoumei.

If Gyoumei used the Demon Slayer Mark, the Transparent World, and the Bright Red Nichirin Sword, he would be at least at the limit of Level 4, possibly even reaching middle Level 5. Such strength would give him a good chance of victory, even against the Upper Two.

As Riezel provided the answer, all the Hashira exchanged glances with each other.

"Hmph." Tengen held his forehead. "Since that's the case, isn't the solution already laid out brilliantly before us?"

Every Hashira's eyes ignited with flames.

Seeing this, Riezel understood that these people were really ready to go all out.

"You know the way to awaken those three abilities, right?" Obanai asked with a serious expression. "Please, tell us."

Without a doubt, all the Hashira present were willing to bear the consequence of using the Demon Slayer Mark.

"As long as we can kill the Upper Ranks, kill Kibutsuji Muzan, dying instantly wouldn't matter, let alone living until twenty-five." Sanemi's eyes gleamed fiercely.

"Umu, that's right!" Kyoujurou crossed his arms, a cheerful smile still on his face.

"Amitabha." Gyoumei chanted the Buddha's name again, tears streaming down even more than before.

Shinobu, Giyuu, and Muichirou remained silent but their expression clearly expressed their intentions.

Even the seemingly weakest and clumsy Mitsuri was the same.

Seeing the Hashira with eyes full of a readiness to die, Riezel fell silent. He understood that saying more would be useless.

"If none of you are really afraid of death, I can grant your wish."

Riezel's indifferent words seemed quite heartless, but even so, many people in the room cast grateful glances at him, even bowing their heads to him in respect.

Kagaya silently observed everything, neither stopping nor saying more, merely announcing one thing.

"From today onward, the Demon Slayer Corps will establish a head instructor position, to be held by His Excellency, Tsugikuni Yoriichi."

"Moreover, the status of head instructor is above the Hashira and equal to mine."

"Everyone must obey Head Instructor Tsugikuni Yoriichi's orders and prepare for the final battle with the demons."

To Kagaya's announcement, all the Hashira had only one response.

""YES!""